I was half asleep Sunday night when my cell phone began to ring. I glanced at my phone as I saw that the call was from by best friend deom college, Alex. I knew at that moment that the madness was now upon us. March Madness that is.

Since our college days, me and Alex have been obsessed with our NCAA men's basketball Tournament pool.

We have gone over these brackets for years with delicate care, figuring out who is this year's George Mason or Butler, or who is a squad like Syracuse or Arizona that have suffered a shocking first round loss as a high seed.

The men's basketball tournament is probably one of my favorite if not favorite sporting events each year. Sure, the top teams are likely the ones to win it all, but there are always sleeper teams that can surprise, Butler for instance, and make an remarkable run. I love the possibility of a David beating a Goliath. Sure, there are questionable picks and snubs each year. I mean, come on, Oregon as a No. 12 seed? The PAC-12 champ. Really? I am so rooting for them to make a run and prove the selection committee wrong. After all, I went to school in Oregon at Southern Oregon University. Since SOU is an NAIA school I alway root for the Oregon teams that make the tournament.

I was so tired I did not pick up and talk to Alex. As I write this Monday afternoon I plan to give him a call so we can make our basketball picks this year. Now, comes the hard part. making the picks. tTere are certain years where I have the gift and I can make some great predications. For three straight years around five years back I got the champion right and won my pool. The past few years have not been kind to me. I had one final four pick last year where I made the awful choice of a Missouri versus Florida State final last year. If you know how the tournament fared that was about as bad as it gets.

What makes the NCAA basketball tournament so wonderful to watch also makes it tough to pick as you know there's likely going to be an upset or two so you have to figure out what's going to happen. And let me tell you, even coming kind of close is a daunting challenge. I have come to the realization that sure, it's good to have some knowledge about the teams playing and who may upset a high seed and what top seed has the best path to the Final Four. But, really, it comes down to luck when making these picks. And, this year I hope I make some good picks. I have a good feeling this year about Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed in the West. I'm not saying they are going to win it all but I will say that at this time a Final Four appearance would not shock me. Creighton, the No. 7 seed, could surprise in the Midwest Region. If they face No. 2 seed Duke in round two it would not surprise me if they pulled off the upset of the top seed Blue Devils and go far in the tournament. While it's great to see Michigan as a high seed again, I see them bowing out by the Sweet 16. Their first round game against No. 13 seed South Dakota State could present some problems. With upsets. I have not totally gone though it all, but as I said earlier, Oklahoma State, the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, better watch out versus Oregon. The Ducks are no typical 12 seed as they will soon find out. Also, look out for Bucknell, the No. 11 seed in the East. They face a sleeper in Butler, the No. 6 seed. Bucknell dominated the Ivy League and I heard they are a team that has the ability to pull of an upset or two. As much as I would like to see both teams go far my gut tells me Bucknell comes away with the upset.

Page 2 of 2 - While Louisville is the No. 1overall seed I just don't have the best feeling on them and would be surprised if they made the Final Four. I'm going to say they are gone by the time the Final 8 rolls around.

Fo those who want to see the complete bracket, it is available in today's paper on page A12.